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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (February 14) investigating three clusters of suspected food poisoning cases involving 15 people.
The first cluster involved four males and three females aged 25 to 61 who developed gastroenteritis symptoms, including abdominal pain, diarrhoea, fever, vomiting and nausea about 10 to 30 hours after consuming food at a restaurant in Tin Shui Wai on February 6. Six of them sought medical treatment but did not require hospitalisation.
The second group involved a male and two females aged 19 to 49. They developed similar symptoms about seven to 12 hours after having dinner at the same restaurant on the same day. All sought medical consultation and one was hospitalised.
The third cluster involved three males and two females aged one to 35 who developed abdominal pain and diarrhoea about eight to 24 hours after eating food in the same restaurant on February 7. They sought medical treatment and two were hospitalised.
All the affected are in stable condition. Investigation is on-going.
Members of the public are reminded to observe good personal, food and environmental hygiene at all times to prevent food-borne diseases. When dining out:
* Do not patronise illegal food hawkers;
* Cook food thoroughly;
* Avoid eating raw seafood;
* Be a discerning consumer in choosing cold dishes, including sashimi, sushi and raw oysters in a buffet;
* Drink boiled water;
* Use two sets of chopsticks and eating utensils to handle raw and cooked food;
* Do not try to use salt, vinegar, wine and wasabi to kill bacteria as they are not effective; and
* Always wash hands before eating and after going to the toilet.
Ends/Monday, February 14, 2011
Issued at HKT 17:31
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